It is possible with today’s technology to produce a diamond that is virtually indistinguishable from a natural diamond. Governments are rushing to force diamond sellers to call man-made diamonds “synthetic diamonds.” The choice of terms is, in my mind, selected to bring to mind “fake diamonds” in a move intended to protect diamond miners and not the consumer.
Categories: Government
25 Comments
Big Ruckus D · November 25, 2024 at 8:01 am
I’d concur with your take, synthetic is an intentional slight applied to the (non-naturally) occuring diamond to retain the marketing and pricing advantage for the naturally formed diamonds. Words have meanings, and often are chosen very specifically – and even sneakily – to inculcate particular psychological or emotional reactions. This strikes me as just such a case.
But really, it is kind of a moot point now, with marriage so badly in decline, and men of western cultures no longer bothering to “put a ring on it”, the market share for any sort of non-industrial use diamonds is tumbling badly.
Hariman · November 30, 2024 at 5:05 pm
“Exploitation free” diamonds.
Pearl Diamonds, made to look BETTER than natural.
Bloodless diamonds.
I say market them to undermine the diamond cartels.
Don W Curton · November 25, 2024 at 8:30 am
Maybe this will end the bullshit about how an engagement ring should equal 3 months salary. Stupidest bullshit I ever heard, right up there with 20% tipping for shitty service.
Hariman · November 30, 2024 at 5:04 pm
Tipping high is because the way the government structures laws around tips means that waiters and waitresses often get only a couple dollars per hour and the tips are reported as their salary AND taxed.
So if nobody tips, the wait staff starves because government BS.
Ironically, there are restaurants that focus on excellent service for everyone and openly add a tipping surcharge to their prices that frequently have better service than regular tipping restaurants, because the staff doesn’t have to worry about the table of karens buying $50+, drinking $35+ of coffee refills, and tipping about $2.00 total.
Aesop · November 25, 2024 at 9:05 am
So by that standard, we’ve all mostly been getting “synthetic news” for the last few decades.
dc · November 25, 2024 at 9:13 am
When I lived in Europe, I noticed diamonds weren’t considered a big deal because “it’s just carbon…” Since the Debeers family seemingly run the diamond markets around the world, adjusting supply to maintain profitability, they are probably the folks pushing governmental support on this issue.
Noway2 · November 25, 2024 at 9:26 am
I remember the commercials advertising genuine faux diamonds.
Divemedic · November 25, 2024 at 2:52 pm
There is a difference between fake diamonds like cubic zirconium and lab made diamonds. Lab made diamonds are real diamonds that have been made in a lab.
Dave · November 25, 2024 at 10:14 am
I will give JC Penny this: in their online and print ads, they say whether a gem stone is Natural or Lab Made, and priced accordingly.
SiG · November 25, 2024 at 10:23 am
FWIW, “synthetic” is the term the gem trade uses for every other manmade gemstone, so it’s the logical choice here. Since it’s so widely used in the jewelry industry, everyone in the distribution chain uses it already and everyone in the industry has known synthetic diamonds have been coming for many years. Synthetic sapphire, for example, is practically sold by pound (they use different units) and is found in things from school class rings to watch crystals. If you see a perfect red ruby or blue sapphire it’s almost guaranteed that it’s synthetic.
big al · November 25, 2024 at 6:07 pm
Correct. Synthetic is the correct terminology for a material that has the same chemical & optical properties as a naturally formed
gemstone. Imitation is used to identify a material that may look like, but is dissimilar from the natural.
Big Ruckus D · November 26, 2024 at 1:47 pm
Fair enough as an industry standard trade term. But you know it is played up by the diamond cartels to create the perception the synthetic diamonds are second rate (and more akin to cubic zirconia than real diamonds). Besides, cynical bastard that I am, my gut says an engagement ring these days is less about how it looks, and much more about how much the modern woman can soak her fiancee for regarding the cost of the ring. After all, therein is found the real source of bragging rights, not the clarity, color, or geometric perfection of the gem mounted on it.
Chris Mallory · November 25, 2024 at 10:49 am
Diamond mine owners, not diamond miners. The miners are considered expendable.
It's just Boris · November 25, 2024 at 12:44 pm
Hopefully the same thing will happen with diamonds as did with aluminum. Once it was one of the most precious of metals, but that was due to its scarcity in elemental form, as opposed to natural abundance.
Bob Bob · November 25, 2024 at 1:22 pm
Some man made diamonds fluoresce under black light & can even be magnetic. Real diamonds fluoresce some but are not magnetic.
Dan D. · November 25, 2024 at 1:43 pm
There is so damn much money in diamonds. Yes, the Debeers family coopted Hollywood to manufacture a market for them. Genius, really. We should take note.
The lab formed diamonds for industry will f over the volcanic tube mining. I spent some time at a company selling process gas controllers to the vapor seposition industry. These guys run quiet to keep from getting black bagged. No joke.
oldvet50 · November 25, 2024 at 3:59 pm
I guess I’m just a dumb ol’ rube. I never cared for jewels and such. It would never be an investment for me since I couldn’t tell the difference between ANY of them (rubies are the red ones, right?). I would be concerned if alchemy was perfected to make lead into gold.
Jimbo · November 25, 2024 at 5:02 pm
Can you spell Debeers??
They’ve been fighting lab made diamonds since the 90’s when GE did it. De beers bought the rights to the process. So now the tech is out there , Debeers needs to degrade the lab diamonds in comparison to natural. Unfortunately lab diamonds are superior, better clarity, no inclusions, only size maybe lacking….for a while.
big al · November 26, 2024 at 10:50 am
DeBeers syndicate is not opposed to selling synthetic diamonds. A number of years ago they started selling them
through a sight named Lightbox. It’s still up, but I do not know if DeBeers still owns it. No time now to look at
that. At one time, you could purchase 1ct synthetic pink diamonds through that site for under $1000
Danny · November 25, 2024 at 6:28 pm
Went into my local jeweler with my wife and she’s looking at diamond earrings. The jeweler (we’ve known and done business with him for many years) said it is really difficult if not practically impossible to tell a lab-made from a real diamond – except for the price, of course 🙂
They were beautiful and fiery – now she needs to decide what weight she prefers for the pair. And the man-made sapphires are really nice as well.
Birdog357 · November 25, 2024 at 7:02 pm
It’s funny, because lab made diamonds are superior to natural…
Boneman · November 26, 2024 at 5:58 am
Funny that. Synthetic MOTOR oil.. is the GOOD stuff, is it not?
Tom235 · November 26, 2024 at 8:14 am
Even natural diamonds are more common than the marketeers would have you believe.
Miles · November 27, 2024 at 10:13 am
As I understand it, the main way to determine if it’s a synthetic diamond is the lack of flaws.
Hariman · November 30, 2024 at 4:57 pm
I think Synthetic Diamonds should be marketed as “bloodless diamonds” and “child labor free” diamonds and “zero exploitation diamonds” and “zero market manipulation” diamonds.
Call out the diamond merchants for being the market manipulating bastards they are. Diamonds are pretty worthless rocks that should be available and used in a variety of places.
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